Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 21159, Benjamin Freeman, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Freeman, Benjamin Hannah
W.21159
CONTENTS
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15487
Massachusetts
Benjamin Freeman of Weymouth in the State of Mass who was a Mate in the Company commanded by Captain Paladge of the Regt commanded by Col Cushing in the Mass line for 8 months 14 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Massaachusetts at the rate of 28— Dollars— 24— Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 th day of June 1835 and sent to Dear Plymouth Mass
Arrears to the 4th of March 1835 $ 57.48 Femi-ant. allowance ending Sept 11 14.12 $71.60
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W.H. Clerk, Book 2 Vol 2 Page 25

Massachusetts 67H
Wannah Freeman
widow of Benjamin Freeman dec d
who died on the 26 th June 1834
of Plymouth Co in the State of Mass s
who was a Private in the Company commanded
by Captain G. Cushing of the 2 nd Reg t commanded
by Col. Cushing in the Mass s line
for 8 mos 14 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass s
at the rate of 28 Dollars 24 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1834. Cont d
to 26 June 1834 to be deducted
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of Jan y
1837 and Lieut. Col. H. L.
Lord Esq Plymouth Mass
Arrears to the 4 th of March 1837 $119.44
Semiannual allowance ending 10 th " 14.12
$153.56
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 rd }
Recorded by M c Adams Clerk, Book A Vol. 1 Page 50

Benjamin Freeman Map
Plate 8 Mr 14 days
1606
May 8/1833
P. 382
8645
I H Land 366/17 156 11.25

BRIEF in the case of Benjamin Freeman County of Plymouth in the State of Mass (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 86  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     Octob In 1745 — 5 — 14 private Gen. Capt J. Hove   1746 — 2 — " Capt Partridge   " — 1 — " Colo Cushing  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none mentioned  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Dorbury Massachusetts  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? — The credibility of the living witnesses is not certified 
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Minute Man
George Taylor
Examining Clerk.

Josiah Moore pastor of the congregational church in Duxbury whereof Charles Turner was formerly pastor certify that I find on the 258 th page of said church records of the persons married by the Rev Charles Turner Novem. 13 1774 Benjamin Freeman & Hannah Bradford. I further certify that Hannah - Freeman is the widow of Benjamin Freeman & that she has not been married since his decease given under my hand this fifth day of October 1836
Josiah Moore
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Wymouth County ss Personally appeared the day & year above written Josiah Moore & made oath to the truth of the above statement by him subscribed I further certify that said Josiah Moore is a man of good character & his testimony is entitled to credit before me.
Seth Sprague Jr for Dea

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth ss. I Jacob H. Lord Register of Probate for said County do hereby certify that Seth Sprague Jnr. Esq. is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County & that the within is his true & genuine signature.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of the Probate Court for said County this seventeenth day of October A.D. 1836.
Jacob H. Lord

Benjamin Freeman 8645

REVOLUTIONARY PENSIONERS.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
COUNTY OF PLYMOUTH, ss.
ON this Twenty first day of August 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before How Willy Wood  Judge of the Court of Probate for said County now sitting at Duxbury within and for said County of Plymouth, Benjamin Freeman a resident of Duxbury in said County of Plymouth, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged Eighty six years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. That is to say, that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That he enlisted in the Independent Company of Minut Men commanded by Capt. Ichabod Alden and afterwards by George Partridge the latter part of 1775 & 76 and served five and half months — Enlisted again at Duxbury in October 1776 in the company commanded by Calvin Partridge and marched to New York Rhode Island where he served two months — was dismissed without any written discharge — and enlisted again, and served about one month at Barrington in Rhode Island in Col. Cushing's Regiment — Making eight & half months service altogether, he has no other documentary evidence than is herunto annexed

- Annexed - He is well known to the Rev. Rufus Kent Minister in said Duxbury and also to Judah Alden Esq., as well also as to many other good Citizens in said Town -
He was born in Duxbury and has always made it his home here - has no record of his birth - Benj. Freeman
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid Attest Jacob H. Lord Register

We, Benjamin Kent a clergyman, residing in the town of Duxbury and Judah H. Hemen Esq. residing in the same town hereby certify, that we are well ac- quainted with Benj. Freeman who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Eighty six years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and we concur in that opinion. Benjamin Kent Judah Hemen
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Attest Jacob H. Lord Register
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Benjamin Kent who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the town of Duxbury and that Judah Hemen Esq. who has also signed the same, is a resident in the same town and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
By the Court, Attest, Jacob H. Lord Register
I, Jacob H. Lord Register of the Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Benjamin Freeman for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this twenty first day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two .
Jacob H. Lord

Hannah Freeman
No 378
Wid of
357 Beryl Freeman
Mass
Died 26 June 1834
Altaw. 28 3/4 24. per ann
Comg 26 June 1834
JA Lord Esq
Plymouth Mass

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Plymouth Y.
On this tenth day of October 1836 personally appeared before the Honorable Wilkes Wood Judge of the Court of Probate for said County, Hannah Freeman a resident of Duxbury in said County aged eighty four years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 4. 1836 That she is the Widow of Benjamin Freeman late of said Duxbury deceased who served as a Soldier in the Years 1775 & 1776 for about 5 1/2 months in Captain Alden & Partridges Companies, & also in 1776 for 2 months at Newport & 1 month at Barrington in the State of Rhode Island for which services the said Benjamin Freeman was a pensioner of the United States under the Act of Congress passed June 7. 1832
She further declares that she was married to the said Benjamin Freeman on the thirteenth day of November in the Year Seventeen hundred & seventy four, that her husband the aforesaid Benjamin Freeman died on the twenty sixth day

of June in the Year (1831,) Eighteen hundred & thirty four ; and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
Hannah my Freeman month
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year first above written Before me & I certify that the said Hannah Free- man on account of bodily infirmity is unable to travel to attend Court & that she is a credible person.
Willis Wood Judge of Probate for the County of Plymouth
Plymouth Y. I Jacob H. Lord Register of Probate for the County of Plymouth do hereby certify that Willis Wood Esq is Judge of Probate for said County & that the foregoing is his true & genuine signature.
In witness whereof I have herunto set my hand & the seal of the Probate Court for said County this seventeenth day of October A.D. 1836.
Jacob H. Lord

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
1
No. 21159
Hannah Freeman widow of Benjamin Freeman Pr. Rev War
Act July 4 th 36
Index: Vol 24 Page 254
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth ss. I Jacob H. Lord Register of the Court of Probate for said County do hereby certify that Dea Sprague H. Esq. is a justice of the Peace for the County of Plymouth and that his name subscribed to the certificate upon this and the annexed Depositing are true & genuine by nature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this twenty first day of Aug- ust in the Year of our Lord one thou- sand eight hundred & thirty two.
Jacob H. Lord
Benj. A. Freeman

To whom it may concern I Lemuel Simmons of Reynolds Massachusetts hereby certify that Benjamin Freeman of Duxbury in the county of Plymouth Mass. who is applicant for a Pension under the act of Congress of Jan y 7 th 1832, was a soldier in the war of the Revolution and that he served in the years 1777 & 8 in Rhode- Island at Barrington, and that I was a soldier with him at that time. Given under my hand this 2 nd day of August 1832. Lemuel Simmons
Massachusetts } Plymouth ss } Sworn to & subscribed the day & year above written before me Commonwealth } Seth Sprague Jr. Judge of the Plymouth } Plymouth ss May 18 1833 I certify that Lemuel Simmons the above deponent is a man of good character & his testimony is entitled to credit Seth Sprague Jr. Judge of the Peace.

To whom it may concern. I Ezekiel Soule of Duxbury in the county of Plymouth Massachusetts certify that Benjamin Freeman of said Duxbury the applicant for a pension under an act of Congress of March 7 th 1832. was a soldier in the war of the Revolution and that he served at New- Port Rhode Island two Months. and that he was a soldier at the same time and place
Ezek. Soule
State of Massachusetts, } Plymouth ss - } Sworn to & Subscribed the day & year above written. before me. A. H. Sprague Jr. Justice of the Peace

State of Massachusetts Plymouth ss May 18 1833 I certify that Ezekiel Doul the within deponent is a man of good character & his testimony is entitled to credit S. H. Sprague Jr. Justice of the Peace
Rev. James

To whom it may concern - I Edward Arnold of Duxbury in County Plymouth do hereby certify that Benjamin Freeman of said Duxbury an applicant for a pension under an act of Congress of June 7 th 1832 - was a soldier in the war of the revolution & that he served in the year 1776 at New Port Rhode Island or rather a part of said year - and that I was a soldier with him at that time & place. Edward Arnold
State of Massachusetts Plymouth ss
I swear to a subscribed the day & year above written before me Beth Sprague J. Judge of the Peace.

State of Massachusetts
Plymouth ss May 18 1833 Do certify that the within named Edward Arnold is a man of good character & his testimony is entitled to credit
Henry Green
Seth Sprague for jury of the Peace

It is what time was Roy & Freeman of Plymouth Mass paid with the Act of Jan 7 1834
H. H.
Dec 26 June 1834 paid to H. H. Foster
H. H.

8645-
Bengal Freeman
J. H. Lord Esq.
Plymouth
Mass
Copy of both. words

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Benjamin Freeman which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yy II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yy III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yy V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yy VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yy VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yy VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yy IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yy X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yy

 XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? Yes  XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?  XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?  XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? No. probably not certified Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?  XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? Yes  XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No Yes  XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? Yes except 2 
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For _____ year _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
‡QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.